Oklahoma State News

Staycation ideas: Local getaways are safe, easy, economical and help boost economy

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:18:58 +0000

Staycation, anyone? From Hollywood to Santa Monica, there are so many options across Southern California if you're looking for a safe and easy getaway close to home!

KFOR Programming updates due to live coverage of the 2020 U.S. Open Golf Championship

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:15:55 +0000

OKLAHOMA (KFOR) — The 2020 U.S. Open Championship continues on Friday and that is forcing some changes to the KFOR afternoon news and programming lineup.

KFOR FRIDAY SPECIAL PROGRAMMING:
1:00 p.m. The Drew Barrymore Show
2:00 p.m. The Drew Barrymore Show
3:00 p.m. U.S. Championship Coverage
6:00 p.m. KFOR News

For more local news, download the KFOR app and for weather download the 4WarnMe app
Follow KFOR on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter!

California woman sues fertility doctor accused of using own sperm to impregnate her twice

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:13:10 +0000

LIVERMORE, Calif. (KRON) — A California woman is suing a fertility doctor, accusing him of using his own sperm to impregnate her twice.

“All of our memories and all of our memories we have yet to make are forever tainted,” Katherine Richards said.

Richards’ daughter, Julie Druyor, recently took a DNA test and was confused by some of the results. She later found out that her mother’s doctor from 40 years ago is her biological father.

Back in the 70s, Richards turned to a fertility doctor when she and her husband were unable to get pregnant.

She claims in a federal civil lawsuit filed this week that Dr. Michael Kiken, who once practiced in Alamo, California, used his own sperm without her consent or knowledge to get her pregnant with both her son and her daughter.

“I’m a product of my mother’s abuser,” Druyor said. “I don’t know if I will ever come to terms with that.”

Richards’ attorney says the doctor also used his sperm to impregnate other women in the area despite telling them that he was using donor sperm.

“It seems that Dr. Kiken did this on a serial basis, that we know of, at least three instances of Dr. Kiken using his own sperm against his clients’ expectations and interests and what he promised himself,” attorney Adam Wolf said.

Calling it “medical rape,” Wolf said the family found out that Kiken was the biological father through a DNA test and genealogist.

Druyor took the test to find out more about her family’s medical history.

“My mom never consented to her doctor secretly using his own sperm to violate her,” Druyor said.

Kiken has not practiced in California since 1998, but Wolf says Kiken currently has a license to practice in Virginia.

“How could someone do this in good conscience? How could they dare abuse the trust we place in him?” Richards asked.

Recent KFOR News Headlines:

Police investigating shooting at Oklahoma City convenience store

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:04:48 +0000

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Officers are hoping the public can identify a man wanted in connection to a shooting at a convenience store.

Investigators say they were called to a shooting at a convenience store located near S.E. 44th and I-35 in Oklahoma City.

Authorities learned that the suspect and the victim got into a verbal argument inside the store before the situation led to a physical fight.

Once the pair stepped outside, officials say the suspect went to a vehicle, grabbed a gun, and shot the victim numerous times.

The victim survived his injuries, but investigators are now working to identify the alleged suspect.

On Thursday, officials with the Oklahoma City Police Department released photos of a man they would like to speak with in regards to the shooting.

If you have any information, call CrimeStoppers at (405) 235-7300.

LATEST STORIES:

OC supervisor asks Trump to bypass California state government, send relief funds directly to counties

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:02:48 +0000

Supervisor Don Wagner wrote the letter in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom's threats to withhold federal relief funds from counties that develop their own plans for reopening.

OC supervisor asks Trump to bypass California state government, send relief funds directly to counties

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:57:15 +0000

Supervisor Don Wagner wrote the letter in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom's threats to withhold federal relief funds from counties that develop their own plans for reopening.

Officials: 11 additional counties move into COVID-19 moderate-risk category

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:53:45 +0000

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – For the first time in several weeks, officials say there are no categories in the green or ‘new normal’ phase of the Oklahoma COVID-19 alert map.

The Oklahoma COVID-19 Alert System is designed to give community members and local officials a method by which they can recognize and communicate COVID-19 risk levels in each county and guide health behaviors.

The system is a four-tiered risk measurement tool that has corresponding color categories that identify the current COVID-19 risk level by county.

“This new COVID-19 alert system marries OSDH’s robust data reporting with additional public health steps that should be considered county by county to confront elevated risks of community spread,” Frye said. “The color-coded system is an easy way for business owners, local leaders, and the public to know at a glance when extra precautions should be taken.”

The color categories are based on daily new cases per 100,000 population.

OSDH will update the color-coded county map every Friday as part of its 11 a.m. Situation Media Advisory.

Updates will be based on the following 7-day rolling average:

• Green: 0 < 1.43 daily new cases per 100,000 population
• Yellow: 1.43 < 14.39 daily new cases per 100,000 population
• Orange: > 14.39 daily new cases per 100,000 population
• Red: > 14.39 daily new cases per 100,000 plus one of four additional gates triggered.

COVID-19 alert map for Sept.

On Friday, health officials announced that 56 counties across the state are currently in the moderate risk phase:

Adair
Alfalfa
Atoka
Beckham
Blaine
Bryan
Caddo
Cherokee
Choctaw
Cimarron
Cleveland
Cotton
Craig
Creek
Custer
Delaware
Dewey
Garfield
Garvin
Grady
Grant
Greer
Harmon
Harper
Haskell
Hughes
Jackson
Johnston
Kay
Kingfisher
Le Flore
Love
Major
Marshall
McClain
McCurtain
McIntosh
Muskogee
Nowata
Oklahoma
Okmulgee
Ottawa
Payne
Pittsburg
Pontotoc
Pottawatomie
Roger Mills
Rogers
Seminole
Sequoyah
Stephens
Texas
Tillman
Tulsa
Wasgoner
Woodward.

Right now, officials say no counties are in the high-risk category.

OSDH will deem a county as being in a high-risk category if the county is reporting more than 14.39 daily new cases per 100,000 and one or more of the following four thresholds occur in the state within a given week:

• Statewide ICU threshold: Percent of ICU beds available <5% statewide
• Statewide Medical/Surgical threshold: Percent of medical surgery beds available <5% statewide
• Statewide Ventilator threshold: Percent of ventilators available <5% statewide
• Facility PPE threshold: Average days of PPE on hand and available < 5 days statewide.

State officials will work with local officials in red counties to develop a remediation plan.

“The red phase is triggered when additionally assessing statewide health system capacity definitions, assumptions and plans in the Oklahoma Hospital Surge Planning Toolkit and with assessing numbers based on hospitals’ bed capacity at 100%. This status indicates statewide, systemic challenges and pressures on the healthcare system resulting from COVID-19,” the news release states.

LATEST STORIES:

Boyle Heights restaurant helps small businesses by lending its space for weekend popups

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:47:45 +0000

Boyle Heights restaurant helps small businesses by lending space for popups

SoCal staycations offer safe, easy, economical getaways, while boosting economy

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:47:36 +0000

If you are looking for a safe and easy getaway, you might want to book a staycation. The program Discover LA can help with your plans; and, it can also save you money, while boosting the local economy.

Police: Man wanted for murder may be in Oklahoma City, Enid

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:43:29 +0000

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Investigators in Oklahoma City are asking for the public’s help finding a man who is wanted in connection to a deadly shooting earlier this summer.

Officials with the Oklahoma City Police Department say a warrant has been issued for 49-year-old Evan S. Harris.

Harris is wanted in connection to a deadly shooting that occurred on July 12 in the 2800 block of Indian Creek Blvd.

Authorities say Harris could be in the Enid or Oklahoma City area.

If you know his immediate whereabouts, call 911.

LATEST STORIES:

All-black Colin Kaepernick jersey sold out in less than 1 minute, Nike says

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:27:33 +0000

The all-black jersey was released to commemorate four years since the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback first took a knee.

Southwest Airlines to continue ’empty middle seat’ policy through fall

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:24:13 +0000

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – If you’re planning to take to the skies this fall, a popular airline says it will continue its COVID-19 protocols.

Southwest Airlines announced that it has decided to keep the middle seats open through November 30.

Also, face coverings are required for everyone who is 2-years-old and older while checking in, boarding, in-flight, deplaning, and retrieving your bags.

Earlier this summer, officials announced that Southwest expected October capacity to be reduced by 40-50 percent.

LATEST STORIES:

Firefighter dies battling El Dorado Fire sparked by gender reveal pyrotechnics

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:23:18 +0000

A firefighter died battling the El Dorado Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest, officials said Friday.

Oklahoma’s coronavirus deaths stand at 939

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:20:24 +0000

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Health officials say the state’s COVID-19 cases have climbed by more than 1,200 in 24 hours.

On Friday, data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health shows that the state has had 74,567 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since March.

That’s an increase of 1,249 cases in the past 24 hours, or a 1.7% increase.

Image via Pexels

Officials say there were nine additional deaths, meaning the death toll stands at 939.

Right now, officials say there are 516 people who are hospitalized with either a confirmed or presumptive case of COVID-19.

The breakdown of COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma counties is as follows:

Adair: 562 (10 deaths) (441 recovered)
Alfalfa: 42 (20 recovered)
Atoka: 250 (1 death) (182 recovered)
Beaver: 47 (44 recovered)
Beckham: 239 (1 death) (135 recovered)
Blaine: 106 (1 death) (86 recovered)
Bryan: 803 (4 deaths) (663 recovered)
Caddo: 682 (20 deaths) (577 recovered)
Canadian: 1,896 (16 deaths) (1,620 recovered)
Carter: 496 (8 deaths) (425 recovered)
Cherokee: 967 (7 deaths) (730 recovered)
Choctaw: 293 (2 deaths) (251 recovered)
Cimarron: 23 (17 recovered)
Cleveland: 5,397 (68 deaths) (4,487 recovered)
Coal: 70 (61 recovered)
Comanche: 1,442 (12 deaths) (1,296 recovered)
Cotton: 64 (3 deaths) (47 recovered)
Craig: 403 (1 death) (163 recovered)
Creek: 1,032 (29 deaths) (860 recovered)
Custer: 467 (364 recovered)
Delaware: 670 (23 deaths) (564 recovered)
Dewey: 55 (1 death) (23 recovered)
Ellis: 7 (6 recovered)
Garfield: 1,438 (18 deaths) (1,131 recovered)
Garvin: 327 (4 deaths) (276 recovered)
Grady: 818 (10 deaths) (563 recovered)
Grant: 37 (30 recovered)
Greer: 101 (8 deaths) (87 recovered)
Harmon: 43 (37 recovered)
Harper: 26 (1 death) (20 recovered)
Haskell: 249 (4 deaths) (181 recovered)
Hughes: 272 (4 deaths) (231 recovered)
Jackson: 691 (10 deaths) (630 recovered)
Jefferson: 41 (35 recovered)
Johnston: 138 (4 deaths) (114 recovered)
Kay: 482 (13 deaths) (352 recovered)
Kingfisher: 313 (2 deaths) (287 recovered)
Kiowa: 62 (2 deaths) (50 recovered)
Latimer: 129 (2 deaths) (113 recovered)
Le Flore: 966 (17 deaths) (776 recovered)
Lincoln: 379 (10 deaths) (316 recovered)
Logan: 387 (1 death) (328 recovered)
Love: 159 (1 death) (129 recovered)
Major: 69 (1 death) (57 recovered)
Marshall: 169 (1 death) (138 recovered)
Mayes: 528 (10 deaths) (431 recovered)
McClain: 755 (6 deaths) (624 recovered)
McCurtain: 1,201 (33 deaths) (1,021 recovered)
McIntosh: 290 (4 deaths) (238 recovered)
Murray: 113 (1 death) (92 recovered)
Muskogee: 1,665 (21 deaths) (1,401 recovered)
Noble: 139 (2 deaths) (116 recovered)
Nowata: 130 (3 deaths) (108 recovered)
Okfuskee: 126 (4 deaths) (102 recovered)
Oklahoma: 16,177 (180 deaths) (13,993 recovered)
Okmulgee: 755 (5 deaths) (651 recovered)
Osage: 766 (13 deaths) (688 recovered)
Other: 51
Ottawa: 764 (4 deaths) (641 recovered)
Pawnee: 237 (3 deaths) (222 recovered)
Payne: 1,966 (6 deaths) (1,563 recovered)
Pittsburg: 856 (19 deaths) (627 recovered)
Pontotoc: 338 (3 deaths) (263 recovered)
Pottawatomie: 1,145 (9 deaths) (954 recovered)
Pushmataha: 144 (1 death) (129 recovered)
Roger Mills: 23 (1 death) (13 recovered)
Rogers: 1,647 (46 deaths) (1,363 recovered)
Seminole: 395 (5 deaths) (329 recovered)
Sequoyah: 766 (10 deaths) (608 recovered)
Stephens: 361 (5 deaths) (261 recovered)
Texas: 1,402 (8 deaths) (1,266 recovered)
Tillman: 81 (2 deaths) (69 recovered)
Tulsa: 15,794 (152 deaths) (14,162 recovered)
Wagoner: 1,379 (23 deaths) (1,211 recovered)
Washington: 942 (40 deaths) (842 recovered)
Washita: 51 (41 recovered)
Woods: 93 (30 recovered)
Woodward: 178 (131 recovered).

A Nevada man was hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19 a second time.

In all, officials believe there are 10,493 active cases of COVID-19 across Oklahoma.

According to health department data on Friday, officials believe 63,135 Oklahomans have recovered from the virus.

Although the CDC recommends patients be tested twice to determine if they have recovered, health department officials say they are preserving tests for patients who are sick.

Instead, the Oklahoma State Department of Health identifies a person as recovered if they are currently not hospitalized or deceased and it has been 14 days since the onset of their symptoms or since they were diagnosed.

(NIAID/National Institutes of Health via AP)

State officials urge Oklahomans to stay away from ill patients and to frequently wash their hands. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

At this point, Americans are urged to practice ‘social distancing’ by staying in their homes as much as possible and not going out into a crowd.

The virus is mainly spread from person-to-person, and symptoms usually appear two to 14 days after exposure. Officials stress that the most common symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

If you do become sick, you are asked to stay away from others. If you have been in an area where the coronavirus is known to be spreading or been around a COVID-19 patient and develop symptoms, you are asked to call your doctor ahead of time and warn them that you might have been exposed to the virus. That way, experts say, they have the ability to take extra precautions to protect staff and other patients.

LATEST STORIES:

Trump heats up culture war in appeal to Wisconsin voters

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:17:56 +0000

Trump called for a statute to ban burning the American flag in protest - a freedom protected by the Supreme Court.

Compton shooting: Key witness sought in ambush that left 2 sheriff's deputies wounded

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:17:53 +0000

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigators want to speak to a key witness, seen on surveillance video, in connection with the ambush shooting of two deputies in Compton.

Brad Pitt, Jennifer Anniston, other stars reunite for ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ virtual table read

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:02:28 +0000

LOS ANGELES (NewsNation Now) — An all-star cast including Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, Matthew McConaughey and John Legend performed a virtual table read Thursday of the 1982 comedy “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” with proceeds benefiting Sean Penn’s nonprofit CORE.

Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)‘s mission is to provide disaster relief and emergency response programs, as well as build sustainable programs to strengthen vulnerable communities, according to their website. The organization has rendered aid in Haiti, Puerto Rico and the U.S.

One hour until #FastTimesLive! Get your popcorn ready and tune in on CORE's @FacebookApp page or @TikTok page. Text CORE to 707070 to donate. Every dollar makes a difference. @EatSnackPop is matching donations up to $25,000! pic.twitter.com/iGVO2qAMry
— CORE (@CoreResponse) September 18, 2020

The table read was streamed live Thursday night on CORE’s Facebook and TikTok pages. The benefit raised money for CORE’s stateside partnerships with communities and local governments across the country to provide free coronavirus testing.

The A-list virtual Zoom “Feelin’ A-Live” read was organized by Dane Cook and included Morgan Freeman, Henry Golding, Jimmy Kimmel, Shia LeBeouf, Ray Liotta and Julia Roberts.

“Thank you all so much, very cool to see this group and Dane thanks for putting it together,” said Penn at the start of the video. Penn starred in the iconic movie written by Cameron Crowe as perpetually carefree and stoned surfer Jeff Spicoli.

“None of you guys have gotten a haircut?” asked Freeman during chitchat prior to the read.

“Covid,” replied a long-haired, very blonde Pitt with a smile and shrug.

CORE’s Facebook page said $63,595 was raised from the table read.

Homeowner shoots 2 alleged gang members during burglary in Pico Rivera

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:00:43 +0000

Two gang members suspected of burglarizing a home in Pico Rivera early Friday morning were shot by the homeowner, authorities say.

Pet scams on the rise as adoptions skyrocket amid pandemic

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:59:15 +0000

People pursuing a perfect pet might end up without their money and a furry friend. Here's what to look out for.

Senate Democrats propose canceling $50K in student loan debt per person

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:55:36 +0000

Student loan debt totals $1.7 trillion nationwide.

91-year-old University of St. Thomas professor goes viral in online teaching photo

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:55:00 +0000

If Professor Khron at University of St. Thomas can master Zoom, so can you!

Compton shooting: Key witness sought in ambush that left 2 sheriff's deputies wounded

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:50:58 +0000

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigators want to speak to a key witness, seen on surveillance video, in connection with the ambush shooting of two deputies in Compton.

SoCal weather: Smoke continues to linger over region Friday ahead of weekend cooling

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:50:57 +0000

Southern California will see warm temperatures with unhealthy air quality again on Friday.

Arrest warrant issued for man in connection to deadly motel shooting

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:40:18 +0000

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Officials say they are searching for a man connected to a deadly shooting at a metro motel.

Around 4 p.m. on Aug. 31, emergency crews were called to a reported shooting at the Plaza Inn, located at 3200 S. I-35 Service Rd.

When officers arrived, they found 33-year-old Johnathan Ward dead from a gunshot wound.

Investigators say it appears that Ward was involved in an argument or an altercation with another person inside one of the rooms and was shot.

At this point, no arrests have been made.

However, officials have issued an arrest warrant for 24-year-old Muhammed Aamir-Zelf Sanders.

Muhammed Aamir-Zelf Sanders

If you have any information on the case, call the Homicide Tip Line at (405) 297-1200.

LATEST STORIES:

Pet scams on the rise as adoptions skyrocket amid pandemic

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:32:21 +0000

The Better Business Bureau says it has received 2,166 reports of pet scams in the past few months, up from 700 for the same period last year.

Eufaula to showcase artists, musicians during ‘Artwalk’

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:24:30 +0000

EUFAULA, Okla. (KFOR) – An Oklahoma town is preparing to showcase local artists and musicians while inviting residents to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend.

The town of Eufaula will be filled with artists of all genres on Saturday, Sept. 19 for the Artwalk.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. artists and local musicians will showcase their talents along Pine Street to Oak Street.

This is a free event to come browse or buy.

LATEST STORIES:

US to block TikTok, WeChat downloads starting Sunday

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:24:20 +0000

It is not clear how the latest prohibitions will affect a deal recently struck by California tech giant Oracle.

Police investigating after dog taken from Oklahoma City property

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:06:40 +0000

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Authorities are asking for the public’s help after a family’s dog was taken from their property.

Officials with the Oklahoma City Police Department say they are working to bring a little dog home after man was seen picking her up near N.W. Expressway and N. Rockwell Ave.

Investigators say they would like to speak with a man captured on the home’s surveillance cameras.

If you have any information on the crime, call CrimeStoppers at (405) 235-7300.

LATEST STORIES:

Tropical Storm Wilfred forms in Atlantic, NHS will switch to Greek alphabet for next name

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:58:57 +0000

If there is another tropical storm this season, the names switch to the Greek alphabet and it will be named Alpha.

Under lockdown, Israel faces bitter start of Jewish New Year

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:57:54 +0000

Hours before Rosh Hashana starts, the Israeli Prime Minister has imposed a three-week lockdown stemming from a raging COVID-19 outbreak.

Oklahoma man passes away from injuries days after crash

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:57:26 +0000

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) – Authorities say a 58-year-old Oklahoma man has died from injuries he sustained in a crash earlier this week.

Around 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 14, emergency crews were called to a crash at the intersection of Acme and Wolverine, just west of Shawnee.

According to an accident report by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, a 2016 Toyota Corolla was southbound on Acme as a 2016 Dodge Ram was heading westbound on Wolverine.

Investigators say the Corolla failed to stop at a stop sign and hit the Dodge Ram.

Both of the vehicles crashed through a fence before coming to rest in a field.

Officials say the passenger in the Dodge Ram, 58-year-old Kirk Halbert, Sr., was rushed to OU Medical Center in critical condition.

Sadly, Halbert died three days after the crash.

LATEST STORIES:

US to block TikTok, WeChat downloads starting Sunday

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:49:24 +0000

Users will also be unable to transfer funds or process payments through WeChat.

Two people arrested for deadly shooting at Oklahoma City apartment complex

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:37:38 +0000

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Authorities have arrested two people in connection to a deadly shooting in northwest Oklahoma City on Thursday night.

Around 8:15 p.m. on Sept. 17, Oklahoma City police were called to a reported shooting at an apartment complex in the 5700 block of N.W. 19th St.

When officers arrived they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound in the parking lot of the apartment complex.

The victim, who was identified as 23-year-old Nicholas Ross, died at a nearby hospital.

A short time later, investigators arrested 18-year-old Tamihus Cardwell and 28-year-old Saleem Abdullahi at a home in Midwest City.

Officials say Ross was involved in an altercation with Cardwell and Abdullahi. At some point during the fight, Ross was shot.

If you have any information on the crime, call the Homicide Tip Line at (405) 297-1200.

LATEST STORIES:

Caribbean meets Cape Cod at Lolo's Seafood Shack in Harlem

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:36:33 +0000

A mash-up of the Caribbean and Cape Cod: it's a variety of seafood being served up at Lolo's Seafood Shack in Harlem.

At Pennsylvania town hall, Biden blasts Trump's 'criminal' virus response

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:35:49 +0000

Joe Biden went after President Trump during a CNN drive-in town hall crowd in Moosic, outside his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Pine-Sol now approved to kill coronavirus on surfaces: EPA

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:31:53 +0000

The disinfectant was proven effective against the virus with a "10-minute contact time on hard non-porous surfaces."

Lucas co-sponsors bill to help military spouses save for retirement

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:28:12 +0000

CHEYENNE, Okla. (KFOR) – A Congressman from Oklahoma announced his support for a bipartisan bill that would help spouses of active duty service members save for retirement.

The Military Spouse Retirement Security Act would expand access to employer-sponsored retirement plans.

According to the Department of Defense, about one-third of military service members experience a permanent change of station every year. When service members move, their spouses often relocate too, putting their own careers on hold.

“From Altus and Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma’s Third District to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma has a long and proud history of supporting our nation’s military. Just as the brave men and women of our military execute their missions- whether serving at home or abroad- America’s military families also play an integral role in supporting our Armed Forces,” said Congressman Frank Lucas. “Deployments, training, and relocations often make it hard for military families to benefit from financial options often used by their neighbors to help save for retirement. The Military Spouse Retirement Security Act would ease these financial burdens and would encourage small business employers to provide military spouses with accelerated access to retirement plans and employer contributions.”

Under the act, small employers would be eligible for a tax credit of up to $500 per year per military spouse. Small employers must make a military spouse immediately eligible for retirement plan participation within two months of hire.

LATEST STORIES:

More detained migrant women say they didn’t OK surgeries

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:17:43 +0000

HOUSTON (AP) — Sitting across from her lawyer at an immigration detention center in rural Georgia, Mileidy Cardentey Fernandez unbuttoned her jail jumpsuit to show the scars on her abdomen. There were three small, circular marks.

The 39-year-old woman from Cuba was told only that she would undergo an operation to treat her ovarian cysts, but a month later, she’s still not sure what procedure she got. After Cardentey repeatedly requested her medical records to find out, Irwin County Detention Center gave her more than 100 pages showing a diagnosis of cysts but nothing from the day of the surgery.

“The only thing they told me was: ‘You’re going to go to sleep and when you wake up, we will have finished,’” Cardentey said this week in a phone interview.

Cardentey kept her hospital bracelet. It has the date, Aug. 14, and part of the doctor’s name, Dr. Mahendra Amin, a gynecologist linked this week to allegations of unwanted hysterectomies and other procedures done on detained immigrant women that jeopardize their ability to have children.

An Associated Press review of medical records for four women and interviews with lawyers revealed growing allegations that Amin performed surgeries and other procedures on detained immigrants that they never sought or didn’t fully understand. Although some procedures could be justified based on problems documented in the records, the women’s lack of consent or knowledge raises severe legal and ethical issues, lawyers and medical experts said.

Amin has performed surgery or other gynecological treatment on at least eight women detained at Irwin County Detention Center since 2017, including one hysterectomy, said Andrew Free, an immigration and civil rights lawyer working with attorneys to investigate medical treatment at the detention center. Doctors on behalf of the attorneys are examining new records and more women are coming forward to report their treatment by Amin, Free said.

“The indication is there’s a systemic lack of truly informed and legally valid consent to perform procedures that could ultimately result — intentionally or unintentionally — in sterilization,” he said.

The AP’s review did not find evidence of mass hysterectomies as alleged in a widely shared complaint filed by a nurse at the detention center. Dawn Wooten alleged that many detained women were taken to an unnamed gynecologist whom she labeled the “uterus collector” because of how many hysterectomies he performed.

The complaint sparked a furious reaction from congressional Democrats and an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general. It also evoked comparisons to previous government-sanctioned efforts in the U.S. to sterilize people to supposedly improve society — victims who were disproportionately poor, mentally disabled, American Indian, Black or other people of color. Thirty-three states had forced sterilization programs in the 20th century.

But a lawyer who helped file the complaint said she never spoke to any women who had hysterectomies. Priyanka Bhatt, staff attorney at the advocacy group Project South, told The Washington Post that she included the hysterectomy allegations because she wanted to trigger an investigation to determine if they were true. Wooten did not answer questions at a press conference Tuesday, and Project South did not respond to interview requests Thursday on behalf of Bhatt or Wooten.

Amin told The Intercept, which first reported Wooten’s complaint, that he has only performed one or two hysterectomies in the past three years. His attorney, Scott Grubman, said in a statement: “We look forward to all of the facts coming out, and are confident that once they do, Dr. Amin will be cleared of any wrongdoing.”

Grubman did not respond to new questions Thursday.

Since 2018, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says it found records of two referrals for hysterectomies at the jail, which is in Ocilla, Georgia, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) from Atlanta.

“Detainees are afforded informed consent, and a medical procedure like a hysterectomy would never be performed against a detainee’s will,” Dr. Ada Rivera, medical director of the ICE Health Service Corps that oversees health care in detention, said in a statement.

LaSalle Corrections, which operates the jail, said it “strongly refutes these allegations and any implications of misconduct.”

Women housed at Irwin County Detention Center who needed a gynecologist were typically taken to Amin, according to medical records provided to the AP by Free and lawyer Alexis Ruiz, who represents Cardentey. Interviews with detainees and their lawyers suggest some women came to fear the doctor.

Records reviewed by the AP show one woman was given a psychiatric evaluation the same day she refused to undergo a surgical procedure known as dilation and curettage. Commonly known as a D&C, it removes tissue from the uterus and can be used as a treatment for excessive bleeding. A note written on letterhead from Amin’s office said the woman was concerned.

According to a written summary of her psychiatric evaluation, the woman said, “I am nervous about my upcoming procedure.”

The summary says she denied needing mental health care and added: “I am worried because I saw someone else after they had surgery and what I saw scared me.”

The AP also reviewed records for a woman who was given a hysterectomy. She reported irregular bleeding and was taken to see Amin for a D&C. A lab study of the tissue found signs of early cancer, called carcinoma. Amin’s notes indicate the woman agreed 11 days later to the hysterectomy.

Free, who spoke to the woman, said she felt pressured by Amin and “didn’t have the opportunity to say no” or speak to her family before the procedure.

Doctors told the AP that a hysterectomy could have been appropriate due to the carcinoma, though there may have been less intrusive options available.

Lawyers for both women asked that their names be withheld for fear of retaliation by immigration authorities.

In another case, Pauline Binam, a 30-year-old woman who was brought to the U.S. from Cameroon when she was 2, saw Amin after experiencing an irregular menstrual cycle and was told to have a D&C, said her attorney, Van Huynh.

When she woke up from the surgery, Huynh said, she was told Amin had removed one of her two fallopian tubes, which connect the uterus to the ovaries and are necessary to conceive a child. Binam’s medical records indicate that the doctor discovered the tube was swollen.

“She was shocked and sort of confronted him on that — that she hadn’t given her consent for him to proceed with that,” Huynh said. “The reply that he gave was they were in there anyway and found there was this problem.”

While women can potentially still conceive with one intact tube and ovary, doctors who spoke to the AP said removal of the tube was likely unnecessary and should never have happened without Binam’s consent.

The doctors also questioned how Amin discovered the swollen tube because performing a D&C would not normally involve exploring a woman’s fallopian tubes.

Dr. Julie Graves, a family medicine and public health physician in Florida, called the process “absolutely abhorrent.”

“It’s established U.S. law that you don’t operate on everything that you find,” she said. “If you’re in a teaching hospital and an attending physician does something like that, it’s a scandal and they are fired.”

Binam was on the verge of deportation Wednesday, but ICE delayed it after calls from members of Congress and a request for an emergency stay by her lawyer.

Grubman, Amin’s lawyer, said in a statement that the doctor “has dedicated his adult life to treating a high-risk, underserved population in rural Georgia.”

Amin completed medical school in India in 1978 and his residency in gynecology in New Jersey. He has practiced in rural Georgia for at least three decades, according to court filings. State corporate records also show Amin is the executive of a company that manages Irwin County Hospital.

In 2013, state and federal investigators sued Amin, the hospital authority of Irwin County and a group of other doctors over allegations they falsely billed Medicare and Medicaid.

The lawsuit alleged that nurses at Irwin County Hospital were trained to follow a doctor’s “standing orders” — described as “scripted procedures based on the nurse’s diagnosis.” That meant nurses often decided treatment plans, but they were billed to Medicaid and Medicare as if they doctor did, the lawsuit said.

Investigators linked a standing order to Amin, alleging he required “certain tests always be run on pregnant patients, without any medical evaluation and regardless of her condition.”

The lawsuit was settled in 2015 with no known sanctions against Amin. The hospital paid a $520,000 settlement, saying no doctor paid any of it and had been “released from any and all liability.”

The Georgia Medical Board lists Amin as a doctor in good standing with no public disciplinary action. Board executive director LaSharn Hughes said records of investigations were confidential under state law.

State prosecutors didn’t refer Amin to the medical board after the billing lawsuit because it didn’t involve specific allegations of patient harm, said Katie Byrd, a spokeswoman for Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr.

LATEST STORIES:

US to block TikTok, WeChat downloads starting Sunday

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:10:40 +0000

Users will also be unable to transfer funds or process payments through WeChat.

Louisiana man who was wrongfully incarcerated becomes ‘America’s Got Talent’ finalist

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:05:32 +0000

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — “It feels excellent,” said Archie Williams as he smiled from ear to ear.

The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native is a finalist on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” He’s also a former inmate who was exonerated after being in prison for 37 years.

In the 1980s, Williams was freed after spending years in prison on allegations of rape and the stabbing of a woman. He was set to be behind bars for life before getting help from the Innocence Project, a nonprofit legal organization. It was found that his fingerprints did not match the ones at the crime scene.

Since overcoming his battles, Williams has continued doing what he loves — singing.

“Faith just gave me another hand for 37 years,” Williams said. “I never let my mind go to prison. I always stayed focused and kept my mind on positivity.”

Williams started singing at age 7.

“If you don’t practice, that’s on you,” Williams said with a chuckle. “But I wake up at 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning practicing.”

During his time at Louisiana State Penitentiary, known as Angola, Williams served as a minister and sang with bands.

“When I went to Angola, I guess that was my mission, to go there and do God’s will,” he said. “That’s the way I see it.”

The singer says after the competition, he wants to return to the Baton Rouge community and help others who may be falsely accused.

“I want to help those guys that are in prison, that are innocent,” he said. “That’s really my mission, to help innocent prisoners.”

Williams will compete in the final round of “America’s Got Talent” on Sept. 22.

“Just stay tuned and give me y’all’s vote so we can win!” he said.

LATEST STORIES:

Owners of Norman car dealership indicted on wire fraud charges

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:03:12 +0000

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Newly released court documents show that three people associated with a local car dealership have been charged with wire fraud.

A federal indictment shows that 28-year-old Bobby Chris Mayes, 61-year-old Charles Gooch, and 35-year-old Courtney Wells have been charged with 25 counts of wire fraud, conspiracy, issuing forged securities, and aggravated identity theft.

According to the federal grand jury indictment, the suspects used their positions as co-owners of the Big Red Dealerships to engage in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud by obtaining millions of dollars in loan proceeds.

Officials claim the suspects lied to lenders about the type, source, and amount of borrowers’ down payments or vehicle trade-ins. The indictment claims that at least one loan officer was bribed.

According to the indictment, the Big Red Dealerships used advertisements to target customers with poor credit. Mayes, Gooch, and Wells would then allegedly induce lenders to approve loans by documenting that the customers provided cash down payments or trade-ins, even if those didn’t occur.

Officials allege that some employees even forged the signatures of customers who supposedly provided cash down payments.

The indictment claims the criminal activity was occurring from January 2014 through March 2019.

The indictment alleges approximately 476 loans were approved based on false cash down payments, and roughly 636 loans were approved based on false vehicle trade-ins.

Mayes, Gooch, and Wells were all charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 12 charges of wire fraud, six counts of uttering forged securities, and six counts of aggravated identity theft.

LATEST STORIES:

Tracking the Tropics: Hurricane Teddy reaches Cat 4 strength, Tropical Depression 22 to become Wilfred

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:41:49 +0000

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The hyperactive hurricane season continues with forecasters watching a number of systems in the Atlantic Basin on Friday morning.

Teddy remains powerful Category 4 hurricane Friday as it churns through the Atlantic Ocean, forecasters said.

Tropical Depression 22 formed in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico Thursday night and is forecast to become a tropical storm that could impact parts of Texas or northeast Mexico next week.

Sally, which battered the Gulf Coast and the Florida Panhandle with strong winds, heavy rain and devastating floods, killing at least two people, has weakened to a post-tropical cyclone, but is still dumping heavy rain over parts of North Carolina and Virginia.

Here’s the latest on what we’re tracking in the tropics:

Hurricane Teddy

Teddy is now a Category 4 hurricane and is forecast to remain powerful as it moves through the Atlantic over the next few days.

Teddy is creating large swells that are forecast to spread across the western Atlantic, increasing the threat of rip currents. This is affecting the Lesser Antilles and the northeastern coast of South America this morning. The swells are expected to spread westward to the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the east coast of the United States this weekend, forecasters said.

At 5 a.m. ET Friday, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 130 mph and was about 935 miles southeast of Bermuda, moving northwest at 12 mph.

“Interest in Bermuda should monitor the progress of Teddy,” forecasters said.

Forecasters said some fluctuations in strength are expected over the next day.

Tropical Depression 22

Tropical Depression 22 formed in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico Thursday night and is forecast to become Tropical Storm Wilfred sometime Friday.

The slow-moving depression was about 285 miles southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande Friday morning, moving north-northeast at 6 mph. It had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.

The system is expected to become Tropical Storm Wilfred sometime Friday and could reach hurricane strength by Sunday.

The depression is creating swells that could impact parts of Texas and the Gulf Coast of Mexico over the weekend, increasing the threat of surf and rip current conditions.

Sally

Sally weakened to a post-topical cyclone, but its remnants were still affecting the Carolinas and Virginia on Thursday night.

The NHC issued its final advisory for Sally at 11 p.m. Thursday, saying it had started to accelerate and was dumping rain on eastern North Carolina and southeast Virginia.

Remnants of Sally were about 50 miles northeast of Columbia, South Carolina with 25 mph winds.

Flash flood watches were in effect for portions of North Carolina, South Carolina and southeast Virginia.

Other areas to watch

The NHC is keeping a close eye on four other disturbances in the Atlantic Basin Friday morning.

Forecasters are monitoring an area of low pressure that is producing showers, thunderstorms and winds near tropical-storm-force a few hundred miles south-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. The storm has a 60% chance of development in the next two days.

Post-tropical cyclone Paulette is now several hundred miles north-northwest of Azores. The cyclone is expected to head south and stall over warm waters. It could develop tropical characteristics on Sunday or early next week. It has a low 20% chance of development in the next five days.

A small area of low pressure is showing signs of organization, and is expected to bring heavy rain to parts of Portugal on Friday. The storm has a low 20% chance of development in the next five days.

Another tropical wave is forecast to move off the west coast of Africa by early Saturday. It has a low 20% chance of development in the next five days.

Stillwater Public School Board approves protocols for sports, extracurricular activities

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:41:33 +0000

STILLWATER, Okla. (KFOR) – A metro school district says it is closely watching the number of coronavirus cases in the area to determine how to move forward with extracurricular activities.

On Monday, Stillwater Public Schools announced that it has cancelled all athletic and extracurricular events from Sept. 13 through Sept. 19.

“Health officials have indicated much concern about the spread of coronavirus in the Stillwater community and recommend the community continue to make efforts to bring infection rates down to allow for safe participation in athletics and extracurricular activities,” a post by Stillwater Public Schools read.

On Thursday, the Stillwater Public School Board approved specific protocols for sports and extracurricular activities based on the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s Emergency COVID-19 School Safety Protocols.

LATEST STORIES:

Feed SoCal: Help end hunger by donating today

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:40:34 +0000

ABC7, ESPN LA 710 and Southern California regional food banks are partnering up for the 9th Annual Feed SoCal hunger initiative through Southern California.

Pine Sol now approved to kill coronavirus on surfaces: EPA

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:40:05 +0000

The disinfectant was proven effective against the virus with a "10-minute contact time on hard non-porous surfaces."

Pet scams on the rise as adoptions skyrocket amid pandemic

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:38:09 +0000

The Better Business Bureau says it has received 2,166 reports of pet scams in the past few months, up from 700 for the same period last year.

Firefighter dies battling El Dorado Fire sparked by gender reveal

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:35:38 +0000

A firefighter died battling the El Dorado Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest, officials said Friday.

Bobcat Fire prompts evacuation orders for Juniper Hills and Devil's Punchbowl communities in San Gabriel Mountains

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:29:04 +0000

The Bobcat Fire burning above the San Gabriel Valley foothill communities continues to grow, prompting new evacuation orders for some residents in the Antelope Valley.

Pancho Claus wears a zoot suit and delivers 10,000 gifts to kids year-round in a lowrider

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:28:08 +0000

Look, it's Pancho Claus! Richard Reyes greets neighborhood families in a zoot suit and in a lowrider while handing out over 10K gifts to kids.

Oklahoma State News

Staycation ideas: Local getaways are safe, easy, economical and help boost economy

KFOR Programming updates due to live coverage of the 2020 U.S. Open Golf Championship

California woman sues fertility doctor accused of using own sperm to impregnate her twice

Police investigating shooting at Oklahoma City convenience store

LATEST STORIES:

OC supervisor asks Trump to bypass California state government, send relief funds directly to counties

OC supervisor asks Trump to bypass California state government, send relief funds directly to counties

Officials: 11 additional counties move into COVID-19 moderate-risk category

LATEST STORIES:

Boyle Heights restaurant helps small businesses by lending its space for weekend popups

SoCal staycations offer safe, easy, economical getaways, while boosting economy

Police: Man wanted for murder may be in Oklahoma City, Enid

LATEST STORIES:

All-black Colin Kaepernick jersey sold out in less than 1 minute, Nike says

Southwest Airlines to continue ’empty middle seat’ policy through fall

LATEST STORIES:

Firefighter dies battling El Dorado Fire sparked by gender reveal pyrotechnics

Oklahoma’s coronavirus deaths stand at 939

LATEST STORIES:

Trump heats up culture war in appeal to Wisconsin voters

Compton shooting: Key witness sought in ambush that left 2 sheriff's deputies wounded

Brad Pitt, Jennifer Anniston, other stars reunite for ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ virtual table read

Homeowner shoots 2 alleged gang members during burglary in Pico Rivera

Pet scams on the rise as adoptions skyrocket amid pandemic

Senate Democrats propose canceling $50K in student loan debt per person

91-year-old University of St. Thomas professor goes viral in online teaching photo

Compton shooting: Key witness sought in ambush that left 2 sheriff's deputies wounded

SoCal weather: Smoke continues to linger over region Friday ahead of weekend cooling

Arrest warrant issued for man in connection to deadly motel shooting

LATEST STORIES:

Pet scams on the rise as adoptions skyrocket amid pandemic

Eufaula to showcase artists, musicians during ‘Artwalk’

LATEST STORIES:

US to block TikTok, WeChat downloads starting Sunday

Police investigating after dog taken from Oklahoma City property

LATEST STORIES:

Tropical Storm Wilfred forms in Atlantic, NHS will switch to Greek alphabet for next name

Under lockdown, Israel faces bitter start of Jewish New Year

Oklahoma man passes away from injuries days after crash

LATEST STORIES:

US to block TikTok, WeChat downloads starting Sunday

Two people arrested for deadly shooting at Oklahoma City apartment complex

LATEST STORIES:

Caribbean meets Cape Cod at Lolo's Seafood Shack in Harlem

At Pennsylvania town hall, Biden blasts Trump's 'criminal' virus response

Pine-Sol now approved to kill coronavirus on surfaces: EPA

Lucas co-sponsors bill to help military spouses save for retirement

LATEST STORIES:

Top stories from ABC7 on Instagram

More detained migrant women say they didn’t OK surgeries

LATEST STORIES:

US to block TikTok, WeChat downloads starting Sunday

Louisiana man who was wrongfully incarcerated becomes ‘America’s Got Talent’ finalist

LATEST STORIES:

Owners of Norman car dealership indicted on wire fraud charges

LATEST STORIES:

Tracking the Tropics: Hurricane Teddy reaches Cat 4 strength, Tropical Depression 22 to become Wilfred

Hurricane Teddy

Tropical Depression 22

Sally

Other areas to watch

Stillwater Public School Board approves protocols for sports, extracurricular activities

LATEST STORIES:

Feed SoCal: Help end hunger by donating today

Pine Sol now approved to kill coronavirus on surfaces: EPA

Pet scams on the rise as adoptions skyrocket amid pandemic

Firefighter dies battling El Dorado Fire sparked by gender reveal

Bobcat Fire prompts evacuation orders for Juniper Hills and Devil's Punchbowl communities in San Gabriel Mountains

Pancho Claus wears a zoot suit and delivers 10,000 gifts to kids year-round in a lowrider